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Five Apps

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1. Enigmail

rnrnEnigmailrnis a Thunderbird extension that works in conjunction with GnuPG to encrypt email. This extensionrnrequires both Thunderbird and GnuPG to be installed on the machine in order forrnit to function. This extension works with Thunderbird versions 17-27 on bothrnWindows and Linux. Enigmail also features support for in-line PGP, per-identityrnencryption rules, automatic encrypt/sign, integrated OpenPGP PhotoID viewer,rnOpenPGP key retrieval via proxy servers, and much more. Enigmail is availablernfor Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD, and OS/2.

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2. Mailvelope

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Mailvelope is anrnextension for Chrome and Firefox that seamlessly integrates with Gmail, YahoornMail, Outlook.com, and GMX. With Mailvelope you can generate the necessary keysrn(which are stored on your local machine) and import other users keys. Thisrnextension works from within your web-mail client when you go to compose anrnemail. In the email composition window a small button will appear (in Gmailrnit’s in the upper right corner of the text area of the compose window) that yourncan click to encrypt the email. By default all outgoing email are allrnunencrypted, so you have to manually select to encrypt. For anyone who dependsrnupon web mail, this is one of the best solutions for mail encryption.

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3. Infoencrypt

rnrnInfoencrypt isrnprobably one of the easiest means to encrypt a one-off email. All you need torndo is visit the site, type the email to be encrypted, type a password (andrnverify the password), and click Encrypt. The site will encrypt the email andrnpost the encrypted text so you can then copy and past it into an email to berndelivered to a recipient. Once the recipient gets the email, they go back tornthe site, paste the text into the window, enter the password you used tornencrypt the email, and click Decrypt. Your email will be quickly decrypted forrnthe recipient to read. It’s that simple. Although not for the most ardent ofrnsecurity fanatics, Infoencrypt will work just fine for those needing simplisticrnemail encryption.

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Mymain Crypt for Gmail 1

4. Mymain Crypt for Gmail

rnrnMymailrnCrypt for Gmail is a Gmail-specific extension for Google Chrome that makesrnencrypting your Gmail as easy as a few mouse clicks. Once you’ve installed thernextension all you have to do is go to the Mymail Crypt options (from with thernChrome Extensions window), generate your key, import your friend’s keys, andrnthen open up Gmail. From within the Gmail compose window you will find threernnew buttons (bottom right corner): Encrypt and Sign, Encrypt, Sign. With thosernbuttons you’ve got all the encrypting power you need for Gmail. Mymail Crypt isrnmy favorite encryption tool for Gmail.

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5. Gpg4Win

rnrnGpg4Win doesn’trnactually handle the encryption of email, but if you’re going to use anrnencryption plugin for Thunderbird (or any other email client besides Outlook),rnthis application is a must-install. Gpg4Win not only can generate keys for you,rnbut also help you encrypt files. The installation of this software will installrnboth the GPG system as well as Kleopatra, an easy to use GPG certificaternmanager. From Kleopatra, you will generate your own keys as well as import keysrnfrom others. With Gpg4Win installed, you will find tools like Enigmail not onlyrnpossible on Windows, but far easier to use.

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Bottom line

rnrnIf you’re looking to get quick and easy email encryptionrnup and running, you cannot go wrong with any of the above tools. Not only arernthey free, they are far easier than trying to get encryption working withrnOutlook and they won’t bog you down with having to purchase and installrncertificates. Give one of these a try and see if it doesn’t meet your emailrnencryption needs.